OT Network Engineer, Mission Systems

Starlink; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in the United States is seeking an experienced OT Network Engineer for Mission Systems to design, deploy, and operate highly available networks for launch and production environments. The role emphasizes network automation, real‑time systems experience, and strong collaboration with cross‑functional teams to ensure security and reliability in aerospace operations.

You will support on‑call rotations, outages, and ITAR/compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or STEM field with 3+ years of professional network engineering experience; OR 5+ years of professional network engineering experience in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks in latency-sensitive environments.
• Experience with multiple vendors in production or lab settings.
• Experience with GitOps and IaC frameworks (Terraform, Ansible).
• Strong knowledge of OSI model and network standards.
• CCNA or CCNP certification.
• Experience supporting real-time systems/OT in high-reliability industries.
• Excellent communication with internal/external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement highly available networks balancing production and launch needs.
• Maintain data center and site networks per standards; collaborate with infra teams.
• Evaluate, procure, and deploy switches, firewalls, and SDWAN appliances.
• Enhance network automation tooling and deployment framework.
• Plan outages with stakeholders for software updates and hardware refreshes.
• Troubleshoot issues and publish RCA documentation.
• Provide on-call support during launches and operations.
• Improve network monitoring for early issue detection.
• Update architecture drawings and operational procedures.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, ISO, and NIST standards.

Skills

Layer 2/3 network design

Latency-sensitive environments

Multi-vendor networking (Cisco, Arista

Scripting (Bash/PowerShell/Python)

Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ans

OSI model & networking standards

CCNA or CCNP certification

OT / real-time / aerospace networks

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering or STEM field

Tools

Cisco switches

Arista switches

Juniper switches

SD-WAN appliances

WDM fiber optics

GitOps / IaC tooling (Terraform, Ansible)

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

OT NETWORK ENGINEER, MISSION SYSTEMS

SpaceX is looking for an exceptional network engineer with experience in mission‑critical and large‑scale production environments to support high‑cadence launch operations as well as high‑reliability production networks. As a member of the Mission Systems / IT Launch engineering team, you will provide operational and design services for networks used by launch/production operations, automation & controls engineering, and facilities teams. The ideal candidate thrives in intense, high flux environments, brings a strong sense of urgency balanced with operational excellence, communicates effectively, and demonstrates high levels of technical acumen.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and implement highly available networks, carefully balancing various routing and redundancy technologies depending on unique requirements between production and launch.
• Design and maintain mission data center and site networks in accordance with company network standards. Collaborating with adjacent infrastructure and enterprise teams.
• Evaluate, procure, and deploy network hardware including switches, firewalls, multiplexing and SDWAN appliances.
• Contribute to ever‑maturing network automation tooling; implementing configuration analysis, linting, and scalability into the deployment framework.
• Plan and coordinate network outage windows with stakeholders to perform software updates, hardware refreshes, and general network maintenance (sometimes on weekends and evenings).
• Troubleshoot and resolve network‑related issues, publishing root cause analysis (RCA) documentation and hosting retrospective data reviews.
• Provide direct networking support during launch and test campaigns and be on‑call or provide real‑time support as networking responsible engineer during operations.
• Proactively tailor[s] network monitoring to provide ever more valuable operational telemetry with emphasis on issue detection prior to operational impact.
• Continuously create and update network documentation, including architecture overviews, design drawings, and operational procedures.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to proactively identify and resolve potential technical issues with network designs, especially in regards to systemic, cascading failure modes, and superficial redundancy.
• Perform job walks with customers, vendors, and contractors to gather network requirements and create implementation plans.
• Ensure networks are configured and maintained in compliance with industry and cybersecurity standards (e.g., ITAR, ISO, NIST), with particular attention to controls network segmentation and security.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or other STEM discipline and 3+ years of professional network engineering experience; OR 5+ years of professional network engineering experience in lieu of a degree.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Extensive hands‑on experience designing, deploying, supporting, and troubleshooting Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks in latency sensitive and/or industrial environments.
• Functional experience with multiple network vendors either in production or lab environments.
• Experience with GitOps and Infrastructure as Code frameworks, both as user and contributor.
• Strong understanding of the OSI model and network standards.
• Hands‑on experience with Cisco, Arista, and Juniper data center class switches.
• Experience with Wave Division Multiplexing (WDM) and fiber optics infrastructure.
• Extensive knowledge of common enterprise and media protocols.

• Experience with switch port security features, network segmentation, QoS, multicast, and redundancy protocols.
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools and layer 1 testing tools.
• Proficiency in scripting (Bash/PowerShell/Python) and automation frameworks (Terraform, Ansible, etc.).
• Linux and Windows system administration experience professionally or from labs.
• Industry standard certifications such as CCNA or CCNP.
• Experience supporting real‑time systems, industrial control networks, or operational technology (OT) environments in aerospace, defense, energy, oil & gas, or similar high‑reliability industries.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with internal/external customers, vendors, and management in both formal and informal situations.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass DoD background check for launch site access.
• Ability to work in tight quarters; physical dexterity is necessary to perform job functions.
• Availability for extended hours and/or weekends as the schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility is required.
• Ability to provide 24x7 on‑call support in emergency situations and participate in an after‑hours on‑call rotation.
• Willingness to travel (up to 20%, including flying to other sites worldwide) and potential time at sea supporting marine systems.
• Ability to lift 30 lbs.
• Ability to work at heights.
• Ability to drive (active valid driver’s license).

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Aff… or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].